Thursday 23 December 2010

Resolutions

If I'm honest I don't usually make resolutions at New Year. Last year, however, I thought that maybe I should.

Although looking back I kinda wish I hadn't bothered. I suppose that's what happens when you have a baby and your life gets turned upside down. In other words, I totally failed at my resolutions for this year!

So this year...

Well, I have decided to have only one resolution/prayer/hope for the coming year.

"Go ahead God, inconvenience me, disturb me, use me."

If you haven't seen 'The Nativity' on the BBC then I strongly recommend that you try to see it. Tonight is the last episode of a 4 part series and it tells the story beautifully. Even though I know the story I have been sat on the edge of my seat completely enthralled.

It has really made me think about Mary's role in the story and her willingness to be used by God despite the pain and suffering and inconvenience it meant to her personally. And it has revealed to me how wonderful God is at creating stories which take ordinary people and give them purpose...supernatural, extraordinary purpose.

If I ask for one thing next year it is to be part of God's story here on earth today. Because I know that it will be nothing less than beautiful, enthralling, full of purpose.

For nothing is impossible with God.

I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said.

Luke 1:37-38

1 comment:

alison said...

Your prayer for the year got me thinking... the Methodist church has a tradition of renewing covenant with God every new Year. I guess if you were wanting to be hip you could rename it a 'resolution service'... anyway, I've attached the main prayer around which the service is based.

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.